used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
move towards
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
CLASHnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
without doubt or question
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
ConfederatenounUS /kənˈfedərət/
a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
ConfederatesnounUS /kənˈfedərəts/
plural of “confederate” — a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
Dad'snounUS /dædz/
possessive form of “dad” — an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
defensesnounUS /dɪˈfensəz/
plural of “defense” — (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
detainverbUS /dɪˈteɪn/
deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
increase twofold
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
dumfoundedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
an opposing military force
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
far-steeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
FederaladjectiveUS /ˈfedərəl/
national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
flanknounUS /flæŋk/
the side of military or naval formation
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
foe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
foresightnounUS /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/
providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
FredericknounUS /ˈfredrɪk/
a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
gleanedverbUS /ɡliːnd/
past form of “glean” — gather, as of natural products
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
hilltopnounUS /ˈhɪltɑːp/
the peak of a hill
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
leader'snounUS /ˈliːdərz/
possessive form of “leader” — a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
movement'snounUS /ˈmuːvmənts/
possessive form of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
in motion
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
regimentsnounUS /ˈredʒəmənts/
plural of “regiment” — army unit smaller than a division
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
rusenounUS /ruːz/
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
semi-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Instead the leading Yankee regiments, moving in semi-open formation, started down the hill at the double, straight at the climbing foes.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
toilingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
vanguardnounUS /ˈvænɡɑːrd/
the leading units moving at the head of an army
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
warfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading By every modern tradition of warfare the force on the hilltop, at sight of the approaching enemy, should have halted and thrown up some sort of defenses, or at the least should have awaited the foe’s approach.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before the advancing Confederates could clearly realize what was happening the Federal vanguard was bearing down upon them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading This ruse of Dad’s (gleaned by him from the tale of a battle of Frederick the Great) took the enemy wholly and dumfoundedly by surprise.
YankeenounUS /ˈjæŋki/
an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading THE CLASH Thanks to Dad’s foresight, or to the Confederate leader’s confidence in his flank movement’s power to detain his proposed prey, the hilltop was gained by the Yankee vanguard while the Confederates were still slowly toiling up its farther and far-steeper slope.
